Dragon’s Den star gives rare personal health update after life changing illness
DRAGON’s Den star Touker Suleyman shared a rare personal health update as the BBC show returned for its 20th series.
The retail tycoon opened up during a pitch from a young entrepreneur who survived pancreatic cancer aged 25.
Following her recovery Lucy, 27, launched her business selling plastic-free pill bottles on Amazon under the name Tabuu.
She came up with the idea after being told she needs to carry medication with her at all times and needs to take her pills every time she eats.
She told the dragons: “I searched everywhere for something to keep my tablets in, that would at the very least make me feel a little bit better about this important part of my day.
“Many people, including me, have had to resort to carrying our tablets in sandwich bags, foil, and in our jean pockets.”
Touker, 69, jumped in and said: “I am that customer, unfortunately.
“I had a bad illness a few years ago, so I’m on blood thinners, hydrocortisone, cholesterol, you name it and I take it. But I’m healthy.
“So there is definitely a market for that.”
Touker was struck down with pneumonia hospitalised in 2019 and was forced to take a break from filming.
Speaking at the time, Touker said he made a quick recovery despite the odds.
“It was serious. I was rushed to hospital on the Friday, and I was meant to be filming on the Monday.
“I was so relieved when I was told they had covered me. I was in hospital for six days.
“The funny thing was that my doctor had told me, ‘This could take months’ and I recovered quite quickly.”
Touker, born in Cyprus, is the Owner of fashion brands Hawes & Curtis, Ghost and Low Profile Holdings.
In 2015, Touker was asked to join the investors’ panel on Dragons’ Den and he has been a fixture on the show ever since.
Lucy, now 27, said she entered the den feeling terrified but left with no regrets.
The brand developer was left shell shocked when three dragons decided to invest in her and Peter Jones offered her a job at his company.